NBC Sports: Charles Barkley finishes with positive points for first time at American Century Championship

Adam Thielan leads, Jason Kelce avoided last place and Charles Barkley is in the red after one round of the American Century Championship.

Wait, back up to that last part …

Yes, for the first time in tournament history, Barkley earned points for a full round in the modified-Stableford scoring format. Despite struggling down the stretch, the NBA Hall of Famer finished at plus-3.

Barkley, long derided for his unaesthetic swing, has, with the help of noted instructor Stan Utley, ridded his hitch. The results were on display Friday at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Unlike standard stroke-play scoring, modified-Stableford employs a points system: 10 for an albatross; 8 for a hole-in-one; 5 for an eagle; 3 for a birdie; 1 for a par; 0 for a bogey; minus-2 for double bogey or worse.

With two birdies, six pars, three doubles and two bogeys over his first 13 holes Friday, Barkley had collected 6 points. He counted two doubles, two bogeys and a par coming home to drop to 3 points, but it was still good enough for his first positive total.

“I had a great time,” Barkley said. “It’s the best I’ve ever probably played anywhere, probably. But I played really well. I was really confident. I played great today, and I’m really looking forward to the next couple days.”

Two years ago, Barkley bet $100,000 on himself – at 5-to-1 odds – to finish inside the top 70 in the 88-player field. He tied for 76^th. The following year, he tied for 74^th. Last year, he was 81^st out of 92.

Now, he’s tied for 48^th.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Thielan leads the way with 24 points. He’s one point clear of 2020 champ Mardy Fish.